Launch
In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Hard stop!! God created. God breathed life into our existence. We all have a beginning. Our stories were written before our first breath of life. Every year I pick a word and tie it to scripture. It’s a fun way to memorize scripture and hold it close to my heart as I watch God work in and through me with my word. One year my word was CREATED for Esther 4:14 “Perhaps this is the moment for which you were created.” Ever wonder what it was like for God on the 7th day to rest and sit still with His perfect creation? I often like to imagine the splendor it will be one day to sit and rest with our Savior in paradise. To be in His presence and understand on that side of heaven all the “why’s” that on this side I often question, but instead of wrestling with all the why’s , I have learned the peace to trust in Him and rest in faith. Until then we get to WORK and work FOR HIS GLORY, to make HIM known. One of my favorite descriptions of work comes from an organization I adore called She Works His Way. SWHW defines work as a verb: Anything that a believer does that they submit to God for his glory and to serve others. In Mighty Waves we talk a lot about work. We speak about the intersection of heart-home-work-and living freely. We talk about being significant in each and how to glorify God as we boldly move about each of those areas.
Mighty Waves was created to be a faith-based performance coaching business for women rooted in Psalm 93:4: “For mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you”. Originally, I had a very different idea for Mighty Waves. Have you ever had a dream not come together as YOU had planned because Gods plans were far greater and better? I kynew two things: I wanted to glorify God in my work, and I wanted to be significant in how I spread and show His love. I knew I had a certain set of skills (channeling my Liam Neason) that lent to what I thought would harness my gifting, but it took me some time to understand how I could transform that into Kingdom goodness that would be impactful and fruitful. Better said, kingdom GOLD! Slowing down is not my strong suit. When I have a plan I am in full blown “activate” make it happen mode. And ordinarily my efficiency and organization lend good to getting things done. What having to be still and waiting has taught me is that when something is not Gods timing you can knock as much as you want the door won’t open, when it IS Gods timing and will nothing can stop it!
Here are a few practical hacks I use to perform at my personal best. The younger Jenny did not do these, the nearly 50 year old does because I know it brings out my best and allows me to stay centered, grounded, and eyes UP to Him.
Here is an example of what my P-E-R-F-O-R-M looks like:
Prioritize sleep.
· Set an alarm on your phone. No screens, wind down an hour before bed.
Early riser to take care of my wellness.
· Lifting weights and walking give me strength and vitality so I can prioritize my health. Garage gym eliminates time commuting to a gym and walking in the early FL mornings starts my day with gratitude
Read the word and be in my Bible daily.
· I have Bibles all over our home- but the one on my desk with my devotional is what I grab daily with my hot tea to soak in God.
Family connectedness is necessary to create.
· Breakfasts believe it or not are essential for me with the kiddos. Dinner we are together as a family but mornings are usually me and the kids and its by design. Something about bookending my days knowing I get these two times in the middle of school and work to be together fills my heart.
Own my day-it’s a gift to be alive, live like it is.
· I believe just as you make a plan and work the plan in your business to see results, you have to do that in how you mother, how you raise your family, and run your household. I don’t like to leave for tomorrow what I can get done today. Whether that is tell someone I love them, write a card, just because or send flowers.
Resolve to be present and not frantically running through each task.
· We have become an uber multi tasking society and culture. I believe it’s a gift to be present in how we bring ourselves to each conversation.
Mindfully move-standing desk/walking pad game changer for my office.
· In my office I use a walking pad with a stand up desk for all internal calls, client facing calls I sit down but it’s helped me most days average 6-8 miles a day in just “work walking”.
I challenge you to ask yourself what does your P-E-R-F-O-R-M look like? Are you utilizing your own unique set of skills to the maximum potential to glorify Christ? Are you boldly living each day to the fullest at work and at home with your families? I pray you read this and want to draw closer to God and experience ALL He has for you.
Keep magnifying His name!
Jennifer